Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney; A standout performance from Player of the Match Jess Fishlock powered Melbourne City to an unprecedented third consecutive W-League Championship, as they overcame hosts Sydney FC 2-0 in an action-packed Grand Final on Sunday.
Welsh star Fishlock opened the scoring with a superb long-range lob, then payed a pivotal role in English striker Jodie Taylor’s championship-sealing second as Patrick Kisnorbo’s side lifted the trophy after finishing fourth in the regular season.
In front of a W-League record crowd of 6,025, Sydney’s veteran Australian international Lisa De Vanna had the best early chance, but missed from point-blank range after Chloe Logarzo had carved open the Melbourne City defence.
Melbourne City came close through a thumping drive from Japanese World Cup-winner Yukari Kinga, but it was the irrepressible Fishlock who produced a moment worthy of the occasion to score the opening goal.
Seizing on a heavy-touch from Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Fishlock spotted Aubrey Bledsoe off her line, and executed a superb long-range lob which gave the Sydney custodian no chance after 35 minutes.
Sydney FC came out fighting after half-time, with Yeoman-Dale and captain Teresa Polias both forcing fine saves from Lydia Williams, before Kylie Ledbrook slammed a shot just outside Williams’ near post and into the side netting in the 57th minute.